Monday Moments with Pastor Chris- Gratitude

Reflecting on Psalm 90:12-17 three words emerge that capture this season of my life: Gratitude (v12), Revelation (v16), and Favor(v17)…

One of the things we practice at DUCC to promote spiritual health and growth as leaders are quarterly pastors’ retreats. This weekend Lady J & I, and the A-Team (Pastor AJ & Angel) had our pastoral retreat. This may have been one of the most refreshing times we have had! We had an opportunity to pray together and for one another. This retreat wasn’t about church strategy and tasks. It was healthy marriages, and friendships.

Healthy Marriages:

During this time of reflection and revelation, my love for my wife and daughter was refreshed and taken to a deeper level! I recognize that my wife is God-sent to remind me how much favor God has in my life. Some people don’t realize that I would have planted a church just for her to have a place she could encounter the Lord. My first ministry is and will always be at home with my wife and daughter, and let me tell you that is the best congregation a man could ever have on his side! Pastor Brett Fuller once said “If I cannot practice my Christianity at home, then I cannot practice it in my church.”. Amen to that! I am convinced that Christian community must be modeled in leadership if we expect to see it in the church.

“Gatekeeper”:

I also want to take this time to publicly thank Pastor AJ for trusting God and believing in the vision The Lord has given me to see revived lives active to glorify God. I think every successful pastor needs an AJ Mosley to serve with them. In many ways Pastor AJ is like the “White House Chief of Staff” for me. The “Chief of Staff” also known as the “Gatekeeper” is the highest ranking position in the president’s office. The “Gatekeeper” is not a legal position that needs to be held, however since 1979, every president has recognized the need for the role to be filled. The Chief Of Staff manages the flow of the Oval Office, ensures the president’s staff is clicking on all cylinders, and advises the president in multiple issues. The Chief of Staff is normally one of the most powerful people behind the scenes. Likewise as Lead Pastor of DUCC, I recognize that I need “Gatekeeper” like Pastor AJ Mosley. Pastor AJ has definitely played a major role in my life as a pastor, and I want to say thank you.

Growth in DUCC:

This past Sunday was ridiculous. A good friend and mentor of mine, Pastor Dwight S. Riddick of First Baptist Franklin brought a mighty word to us. Each Sunday we have been seeing an increase of 20+ people, and we have run out of space! We are currently in phase 2 of our expansion and renovation. We are also really excited as we aggressively pursue what The Lord has for us in this season. The numbers don’t tell the entire story but they tell a large part of it. We see the Lord increasing our church through the power of Jesus Christ & lives are being changed, and people are being encouraged to pursue the Lord! We are excited have our next new members course coming up. Our church family is growing rapidly.

In closing, I lift up this prayer from Psalm 90:16-17 over what the Lord is doing in DUCC, and our lives: “16Let Your work appear to Your servants, And Your glory to their children. 17And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands.”